Bertha Tobias has assured that her goal, through her podcast, Spotlight, and the work she will do with the CNN Academy, is to show Africa as a place of joy, abundance, and nuance, far beyond the tired tropes of poverty and despair.
Tobias has been selected to be part of the Cable News Network (CNN) Academy Programme, whose aim is to provide an excellent media training opportunity through its Storytelling for Impact programme.
The initiative is open to applicants from the Global South, targeting young storytellers who want to make a difference through Journalism. The programme structure includes two phases: a virtual training and an in-person training and Simulation in Abu Dhabi.
“When I started my podcast, Spotlight by Bertha Tobias, in 2022, it was just a hobby, a small space to amplify young Namibian entrepreneurs. I had no production experience, no studio, and no team management or budgeting experience. Just a belief that our stories, too, are worth sharing.
She said acceptance into the CNN Academy is proof that the universe rewards when people earnestly bring the best of themselves.
Her mission is to contribute to the growing movement of African storytellers who are reshaping the global narrative.
Tobias expressed her belief that they have entered a new era, one in which storytellers on the ground are portraying Africa as a place of joy, colour, exuberance, and abundance.
She highlighted content creators like Peace Hyde and shows like Young, Famous and African as examples of those working at the highest level to overturn outdated and limiting narratives about the continent.
Tobias also shared her hope to contribute to this powerful wave of storytelling, affirming African identity and rewriting the narratives that have long been shaped by global media.
“The way I choose the stories is by looking at how consistent the entrepreneurs have been. If you look at everyone who’s been on my podcast, these are people who have been doing the work long before they received any recognition,” she detailed.
Tobias added: “In fact, some of them still don’t get much applause, they are not making headlines in national newspapers, and their work isn’t necessarily part of our mainstream discourse in any glamorous way. But they’ve been quietly and consistently showing up for their communities, often thanklessly.”
This is what draws them to her, as they have committed over time to providing various services to Namibians and transforming lives, or by inspiring those who witness it.
She said being part of the academy is teaching her that storytelling is a science, but it’s also deeply methodical, adding that there’s a science to maximising impact, to ensuring that stories aren’t told sensationally just to spark conversation.
“There’s a science to honouring the essence of the work being done and preserving the dignity of the people whose stories you’re telling. For me, storytelling has evolved from being something purely creative and fun to something I now see as a disciplined craft, one that demands a thoughtful, methodical approach if it’s going to be done at the highest standard,” she said.